BIRMINGHAM – UAB women’s soccer head coach Erica Demers has announced the additions of Rachael Collins and Alex Latorre to her staff.
“We are extremely excited to have Rachael join our staff,” said Demers. “She was very impressive during the interview process and brings a high level of expertise with not only her playing background, but some top-level coaches she was able to work and learn from during her career. As a person, she checks all the boxes with the player-first mentality. A massive welcome to Rachael to our Blazer community.”
Collins, who will be an assistant coach, comes to the Magic City after spending the past two seasons at Alabama as a volunteer assistant coach. While in Tuscaloosa, she coached five All-SEC performers, including Reyna Reyes who played on the Mexican Senior National Team and was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ All-Southeast Region Third Team.
Prior to Alabama, she served as an assistant coach for two seasons at UC Davis. In her time with the Aggies, she coached four All-Big West players. Among them was Alexis Smith who is UC Davis’ all-time leader in shutouts and saves.
As a player, Collins attended Pepperdine University (2013-17) and played a key role in the Waves’ on-field success after earning a spot in the starting lineup during her freshman season and maintaining it throughout her college career. Her two-way play as a midfielder led Pepperdine to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth during the 2014 season.
Collins earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Pepperdine in 2017.
“I met Alex during our past spring season after his recent move to Birmingham. Alex is extremely passionate about the game and his excitement to be a part of our program is infectious. We are thankful to add him to our staff and we look forward to working with him this coming fall,” added Demers.
Latorre, who also serves as the Coaching Director at Hoover Soccer Club for U13s to U19s, will be a volunteer assistant coach.
Prior to landing in Birmingham, Latorre was the head men’s coach at York College in York, Neb. for four seasons and the women’s coach for one season.
In his time with the Panthers, he led the men’s team to 34 victories and had an impressive eight match turnaround, taking the team from five wins in 2017 to 13 in 2019. The 13 victories in 2019 was the most for the program since joining the NAIA. That same season, York also advanced to the semifinals of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) for the first time in school history.
On the women’s side, Latorre led the Panthers to an upset victory over the first-place team in the KCAC, Friends College. Under his guide, Breanna Bembenek was named KCAC All-Conference Second Team.
Latorre was also an assistant coach with Southwestern Oklahoma State on the women’s side (2009-10) as well as Oklahoma Christian, serving both the men’s and women’s teams (2004-06).
He played collegiately at Oklahoma Christian, where he captioned the Eagles to their best record in school history at 17-4-1 during his senior season in 2001.
After his sophomore season with the club, he was drafted by the Kansas City Attack, an indoor team in the National Professional Soccer League. Following his time at OC, he played for the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division.
Women’s Soccer season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2021-22 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2021-22 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
For more information on the UAB women’s soccer team, follow @UAB_WSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
